Disclaimer: Mass Effect doesn't belong to me, nor do I intend to profit from this work of fiction.


Kaidan admired the sway of Shepard's hips as they hurried back to the Normandy following a meeting with Captain Anderson. She marched along at a fast clip, and he was finding himself hard pressed not to stare. She tapped her foot impatiently as they waited for the decon cycle to finish.

"Joker, as soon as that thing goes green, get us out of here," she ordered, and stood at the back of his chair, waiting for the locks to be overridden. Kaidan placed a hand on the small of her back, and stood unprofessionally close to her, waiting.

She breathed a sigh of relief as soon as the light flickered green, and without hesitation, they were through the relay, headed for the lost planet of Ilos. "It will be a few hours, Commander. I'll let you know when we get there," Joker told her.

She murmured her thanks, and left the cockpit. "So, you and the Commander, huh?" Joker asked, eyeing the older man appraisingly.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Joker," Kaidan replied, rubbing his forehead. "What kind of question is that anyway?"

Joker snorted, "No, Alenko, the real question is why are you still up here? We could all be dead this time tomorrow, or court marshaled, so what are you waiting for?"

Struck by the realization the Joker was right, "Thanks, Joker," he said as he turned on his heels, and headed to the crew deck through the CIC. He paused in front of Shepard's cabin, knowing that as soon as he walked through that door, there was no going back. He squared his shoulders and opened the door.

She looked around at him as he moved into the room, and her face lit with a smile as she stood, and leaned back against her desk. "Commander," he murmured, and stopped in front of her, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Don't you think we're a little past titles?" she asked, the corners of her lips tugging into a smile as she wonder what he was doing here, hoping it was exactly what she thought.

He chuckled, "We're past a lot of things," he replied, his gravelly voice sliding down her spine like a caress. He brought his hand to his chin, and cocked his head to the side, "What happens if this doesn't work out, Shepard? I mean, we mutinied, stole a prototype warship. If they wanted to get technical, they could throw in kidnapping." He gave a nervous laugh, "We're one hell of an example of humanities best and brightest, huh?"

She sighed, "I keep reminding myself that we're doing the right thing. I don't believe myself yet."

He took a step closer, and brought his hand up to cup her cheek, "If I didn't think you were doing the right thing, I wouldn't be here, Shepard." Her hand came up to wrap around his wrist as her eyes stared into his. "It will really hit the fan when we get to Ilos, and, well," he hesitated, and took a half step closer to her, "If things don't go well, I want you to know that I've enjoyed serving under you."

"Kaidan, I don't think I've had the pleasure of you serving under me," she replied, and a sly smile graced her lips.

"Ouch, I walked right into that one," he chuckled, "I would say something about regs against fraternization, but I don't think I care anymore, Shepard." His hands found her hips and he pulled her closer. "I think about losing you, and I can't stand it. And the galaxy will just keep going, everything, even the Reapers will come around again, but you and I, we, are important right now."

She slid her hands up his chest, up and around to cup the back of his head, "Bunk here tonight, with me," she murmured.

He grinned at her, "Is that an order, Commander?"

She raised an eyebrow and narrowed her eyes, "Shut up and get over here."

He laughed, and dropped his mouth to hers, "Careful, Shepard, or I might think you're abusing your authority, a serious breach of protocol," he whispered against her lips.

Her arms tightened around his neck in response, and his hands slid to the curve of her backside, pulling her flush against him. She moaned softly as his lips traveled along her jawline, his five o'clock shadow rubbing against her sensitive skin. His hands twined in her hair, scattering pins as the long tresses cascaded over her shoulders. Her hands fumbled with his belt, just as he pulled her shirt from her pants and over her head. He pulled away, and pressed his lips to the swell of her breast, gradually backing her towards the bed.

"Kaidan," she murmured as he worked the fly of her pants, slipping them down the curve of her hips.

"Hmm?" he hummed against her throat, reluctantly pulling away as she dragged his shirt over his head. He took in the sight of her naked before him and licked his lips. "Beautiful," he murmured, before claiming her lips once more. He gave a slight wiggle of his hips as she pushed his pants to pool on the floor.

With a wicked grin, he planted a hand on her chest and pushed her back onto the bed, and pounced on her when she gave a silky laugh. She rolled on top of him, pressing kisses to his belly and chest. She slowly crawled up his torso, and leaned into his ear, "Can the last few months count as foreplay?" she whispered, her voice husky with need. "Because I want you inside me right now."

"Oh, God yes," he whispered back with a groan as she sunk down on his thick length, her walls stretching round him as he filled her. She tossed her head, shaking her hair back over her shoulders as she rolled her hips, riding him as he thrust his hips into her silky core. He took in the sensual movement of her hips and belly, and swallowed when a mewling cry left her lips as an orgasm rocked her.

He gripped her hips, and rolled her to her back, and pumped his hips into her, feeling her muscles clench around him as he climaxed with a harsh grunt.

Shepard tilted her head to find his lips, capturing them in a sweet kiss. He felt her hands drifting up and down his back, tracing the muscles she found there. "So, Kaidan," she murmured against his lips, "When do we go again?"

He licked his lips and felt himself stiffening within her again, "I'm not finished with you be a long shot," he growled sexily.

She just moaned in response as he gave a slow thrust of his hips.